DIMAPUR — A youth, identified only as Dick, was allegedly assaulted by members of a Naga political group in Zunheboto town on Friday.
Confirming the incident, official sources said that the victim, who hails from Natha Old village, has been admitted to Zunheboto District Hospital and is in stable condition and under medical observation.
Two NSCN-R members were arrested by the police in connection with the assault, but their identities were not released. Fearing public backlash, they were kept in a secure location, sources said.
According to police investigations, the assault stemmed from an altercation between two groups of individuals affiliated with the NSCN (R) and the Kitovi Zhimomi-led GPRN/NSCN.
The victim reportedly intervened to mediate the dispute.
After the altercation subsided, he returned home but was later picked up by alleged NSCN (R) members. He was blindfolded and taken to a nearby village outside Zunheboto town and assaulted.
He was released approximately one to two hours later. Passersby discovered him and took him to the Y Rochill Hospital before he was transferred to the District Hospital.
Meanwhile, civil society organisations in Zunheboto, including the Sümi Youth Organisation, the Zunheboto Tokujo Kükami, the Zunheboto Area Public Organisation, and the Zunheboto Town GB Association, strongly condemned the assault.
Expressing deep concern over the incident, the CSOs urged law enforcement agencies to ensure justice for the victim.
The organisations also informed that a resolution has been taken to ban "functionaries of the NSCN (R)" from operating within Zunheboto district in an effort to prevent similar incidents in the future.